Can I burn today in Russell?
Russell’s by-law does not set out what each fire danger rating allows, so this page cannot tell you whether today is a burning day. Today’s rating is beside this, and the fire hall below has the answer.
- Air quality (AQHI)
- 2 · Low risk
- Measured at
- Cornwall
- Observed
- 3:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of United Counties of Prescott and Russell, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Russell requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Russell Township Fire Services decides — not this page.
3 days
3 months
Submit a permit request to the Director of Public Safety and Enforcement with photo ID, civic address/lot description, a list of materials to be burned, and (if not the landowner) written landowner authorization
Notify the Fire Department Dispatch Centre before burning
Keep a person 18+ supervising the fire at all times.
Permit required (Section 2.1)
No person shall set, maintain or allow a fire in open air without first obtaining a permit from the Township or unless approved by the Fire Chief or designate. The amount for the permit shall be set out in the fees and charges by-law.
Built-up area restriction (Section 2.3)
No person shall set an open-air fire in the Township of Russell in those areas being hamlets, villages, subdivisions or any other built up areas or as approved by the Fire Chief and as defined in the Municipal Act and/or the Planning Act, or any other applicable Municipal By-laws, Provincial legislation or statues.
Wind / nuisance conditions (Section 2.4)
No person shall set, maintain or allow a fire in open air when the wind is in such a direction or intensity as to cause any or all of the following: (i) A decrease in visibility on any highway or roadway (ii) A rapid spread of fire through grass or brush area (iii) Loss of enjoyment or discomfort of a neighboring property.
Material and accelerant restrictions (Section 2.6-2.7)
No person shall set, maintain or allow any fire to burn materials other than wood or products of wood. No person shall use any form of accelerant to ignite a fire.
Permit duration (Section 3.5)
The duration of a permit shall not exceed: (i) a period of 3 days for any lot that is outside the Village Limits and that has less than 10 acres; (ii) a period of three (3) months for any lot that is outside the Village Limits and that has more than 10 acres.
Setback and supervision conditions (Section 3.4)
No permit holder shall: (i) burn more than one (1) cubic meter of material at any time; except farmers as per part 4 of this by-law. ... (iv) light or maintain a fire less than 15 meters from property line (v) notwithstanding section 3.4 (iv), light or maintain a fire less than 30 meters from any other combustible material, structure, brush or wooden area.
Campfire exemption and limits (Section 5.1-5.2)
A permit is not required for a campfire providing that the campfire is for: (i) keeping warm (ii) cooking food (iii) recreational enjoyment. No person shall make a camp fire that is: (i) larger than 0.5 cubic meter ... (v) closer than 4.5 meters from any side lot line or rear lot line, from other combustible material, structure, brush or wooden area (vi) within the portion of a yard that is the front or side yard.
Fire Ban authority (Part 6)
The Fire Chiefs or his designate shall have the right to declare a fire ban for parts or the whole of the Township of Russell. No person shall set, maintain or allow any fires to be ignited during a declared fire ban.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Russell — free, for any municipality, customer or not. See it and get the link.
By-laws change. This page summarises public documents and is not legal advice or permission to burn — Russell Township Fire Services decides.